"Overgrown"

• Jill Pelto incorporates graphs into visual art in an elegant way, blending the meaning and relevance of the data into an artistic representation that expands the impact of the data.
  
• "Overgrown" uses graphs of predicted temperature rise as a visual break to demonstrate the impact of climate change on native plant species in Maine, including the changes in their abundance and the new plant species that will move in with rising temperatures.
  

Positives

• "Overgrown" illustrates the beauty of the plants that will be affected by temperature rise and a visual representation of habitat loss.
  
• Pelto showcases alternative ways of using data to make a point that is instantly relatable to a broad spectrum of students that may not otherwise relate to graphed data.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Students need to understand how graphs represent data and how to read a graph.
  

Differentiation

• Art classes can use this as an example of line in art, botanical illustration, and meaning through composition.
• Math classes can use this as an example of the relevance of data and mathematics in varying subjects.
• Science classes will be able to use this as a launch point or hook for discussing how temperature affects plant communities and ecosystems.
• Other similar resources include the Sea Walls art pieces, this activity, and this video.